Bismarck weekly tribune., 1887-05-13
GEN. SHERIDAN ON aEs. RossEH.
The Whaling He Gave the virginian In the
~. Shenandoah Campaign.

The Whaling He Gave the virginian In the
Shenandoah Campaign.
General Sheridan was much amused up-
on reading the letter of General Rosser, re-
Gently published, in which the latter speaks
of proposed trip to the Shenandoah val
ley by General Sheridan, and denounces
him for "the wind, wanton waste and des-
olation which his barbarous torch spread
through the valley during the war. After
reading Rosser's philippe General Sheri-
dan said to your CORRESPONDENT: "Rosser
has not forgotten the whaling gave him
in the valley, and am not surprised that
he loses his temper when he recalls it.
Yes, sir, when was moving down the
valley had an important object inview
and did not care to be annoyed. Rosser
was sent after me with brigade, but did
not consider it worth while to give him
much attention. General Torbet's division
of cavalry formed the rear of my column,
and I was confident he could take care
Of Rosser. Occasionally Rosser would
come across small detachments Of
our troops and would swoop
down upon them. Finally it was reported
to me that Rosser had captured my pack
train, and this made me mad. Hating the
entire command right on the road, l gal
loped to the rear to find Torbet determined
to settle Rosser. fouad the train had not
been captured, although it had encountered
Rosser and was coming in considerably
scattered and broken up. could not find
Torbett. and this added to my rage. When
found him he was quietly enjoying him
self at farmhouse. called him out and
informed him that 1 wanted Rosser
cleaned out, and that if he could not do
this would take his division and 90 it
myself. I concluded would remain and
see the work performed, and SO informed
Torbet. ".... =
The following morning early Torbet
went after Rosser, whose brigade was
them to scatter: We stripped the enemy Of
everything he had captured--all his guns,
except one which subsequently, fell into
our hands, and all his baggage, including
his personal effects. 1t was regular
frolic for our boys. Custer got Rosser's
and d. wore is for the
sued Rosser to Newmarket, dis
not trouble me further. This
incident was doubly humiliating
to ROsser because he was hailed as the
Savior of the valley His men wore small
laurel twigs in their hats as an indication
of their purpose to clean us out. Some
time after this when Rosser again ap-
peared in that vicinity, l understand the
people advised him to substitute pumpkin
vines for laurel, that plant being well
known for running qualities. For these
reasons suppose General ROsser contin-
ues to feel unkind toward me. He says
that have not atOned for my acts during
the war. That is true. 1t never occurred
| to me that was called upon to do 80. I
want to add in this connection that do
not propose to make q trip to the Shenan-
dOah valley the coming summer and had
not thought of so dong. 1 visited the val
ley last summer in company with Senator
Cameron, Of Pennsylvania, and was hos
pitably received by the people, none of
whom exhibited any of the bitterness of
feeling that Is expressed In General Ros-
ser's letter. understand Rosser is now
living in the valley. and as he intends to
become candidate for congress, his letter
was doubtless written for effect upon his
coming political campaign